From a small shop in Ellisville to one of the world’s most prestigious stages for artisan gelato, Tre Cuori Gelateria & Açaí has achieved something few businesses ever do.
The family-owned gelateria recently traveled to Rome, Italy, where the 2026 Gelato World Masters rankings were announced. There, owner and chef Tassia Rezende learned that Tre Cuori had earned the Gelato World Masters Crown and a ranking of No. 58 in the world, placing the Ellisville business among the Top 60 gelato artisans globally.
To Rezende’s knowledge, Tre Cuori is the first Missouri gelateria to receive the distinction.
The recognition carries particular weight within the industry. Rather than being determined by a single competition, the Gelato World Masters rankings are based on years of competitions, evaluations and achievements. Participants are judged on factors including flavor, technical execution, ingredient quality, balance, creativity, presentation, consistency and overall craftsmanship.
“What makes this recognition especially meaningful is that it reflects a long-term commitment to excellence,” Rezende said. “It is not based on a single day or a single competition, but on a body of work and dedication to the art of authentic gelato.”
Thousands of gelato artisans from around the world have participated in qualifying events over the years. For Tre Cuori, the achievement is even more remarkable because it came during the business’ first participation in the Gelato World Masters system.
“What makes this achievement especially meaningful is that it was our first time ever participating in the Gelato World Masters competition system,” Rezende said. “To be recognized among the Top 60 gelato artisans in the world on our very first attempt is something we never imagined when we opened our small family business in Ellisville. It proves that passion, quality ingredients, consistency, and a lot of heart can take a small-town gelateria all the way to the world stage.”
For Rezende, the honor served as validation for the standards that have guided the business since its inception.
“I felt incredibly happy, honored and grateful,” she said. “More than anything, it gave me a warm feeling in my heart because it felt like confirmation that we are on the right path. We work hard every day to focus on quality, consistency, cleanliness and creating the best possible experience for our customers. Having that recognized on a world stage was very special.”
The journey to Rome began more than a decade ago when Rezende, her husband Rafael and their son Pedro moved from Brazil to Missouri for a career opportunity.
While building a life in St. Louis, the family found themselves missing the authentic gelato they had enjoyed in Brazil, a country with deep Italian influences and one of the world’s largest populations of Italian descendants outside Italy. Rezende, who comes from an Italian family, said food has always been central to her life.
“I also come from an Italian family, where food was always at the center of bringing people together,” she said. “Cooking and baking have been passions of mine for as long as I can remember.”
During the pandemic, she decided to turn that passion into a business. After professional gelato training and years spent developing recipes and techniques, the family opened Tre Cuori, which translates to “Three Hearts” and represents Rezende, Rafael and Pedro.
“We opened with a simple vision: to create authentic artisan gelato using the best ingredients possible while making people feel welcomed and cared for,” Rezende said. “We wanted to build a place where families could create memories together.”
That commitment to quality is what Rezende believes ultimately helped earn international recognition.
“We make our gelato in small batches using premium ingredients and never compromise our standards,” she said. “Every flavor is crafted with care, and we pay attention to every detail, from the ingredients we choose to the experience we create for our customers.”
A major factor in Tre Cuori’s success was Arachidi, a flavor featuring all-natural peanut butter gelato, roasted peanuts, dulce de leche and Belgian chocolate. The flavor won first place in the Midwest and later first place in North America during Gelato World Masters competitions.
Still, she views the honor as recognition of more than a single recipe. Tre Cuori regularly introduces a new Flavor of the Week, many inspired by her travels and Italian and Brazilian heritage.
“Ultimately, this recognition reflects not just one flavor, but the passion, creativity and quality standards we bring to every batch of gelato we produce,” she said.
Attending the announcement in Rome alongside some of the world’s most accomplished gelato artisans was a surreal experience, she said.
“Rome is considered one of the centers of the gelato world, and being surrounded by some of the most talented artisans from so many countries was both humbling and inspiring,” she said. “As I stood there, I felt proud not only for Tre Cuori but for Missouri. We are not traditionally known as a gelato destination, yet we were being recognized on an international stage.”
The achievement, she said, belongs not only to her family but also to the employees and customers who helped the business grow.
“This recognition belongs to our family, our team, and the entire community that has supported us from day one,” Rezende said.
“We may have received the award in Rome, but this recognition was built right here at home.”
As for what’s next, Rezende said Tre Cuori plans to expand partnerships with local restaurants, markets and businesses while continuing to experiment with new flavors and concepts.
“This recognition is not the finish line for us. It’s motivation to keep growing and getting better every day,” she said.
“And while I can’t share too much just yet, let’s just say we’re dreaming a little bigger these days, and an exciting new chapter for Tre Cuori may be on the horizon.”
For now, though, the Ellisville gelateria is savoring a milestone few small businesses ever experience: earning a place among the world’s best while representing Missouri on an international stage.
“We are incredibly proud to bring home the first Gelato World Masters Crown ever awarded to a Missouri gelateria,” Rezende said. “At the end of the day, our greatest achievement is not a ranking. It is the relationships we have built with the people we serve every day.”
